Certainly, these are hostile and unfriendly steps, with the goal to further disrupt our relations, which are sad without this. President Putin will do what is in the interests of Russia, in this case, no doubt.”

The Russian embassy says it has lodged a formal protest over the incident.

Russian staff left the consulate in September last month after an order to vacate by Washington. Administrative parts of the compound have since been occupied by US officials an act described as illegal by Russia.